The Edwardses in their fine top boots
and ruffled shirts were there. So were certain of the Ridgleys of
Maryland--well known and successful bankers. The Logans and the Conklings
and the Stuarts who had won reputations at the bar before they arrived
were now settled in Springfield. Handsome, well groomed horses, in
silver mounted harness, drawing carriages that shone "so you could see
your face in them," to quote from Abe again, were on its streets.
"My conscience! What a lot of jingling and high stepping there is here in
the street and on the sidewalk," said Abe as they came into the village.
"I reckon there's a mile of gold watch chains in this crowd."
A public sale was on and the walks were thronged. Women in fine silks and
millinery; men in tall beaver hats and broadcloth and fine linen touched
elbows with the hairy, rough clad men of the prairies and their worn
wives in old-fashioned bonnets and faded coats.
The two New Salem men stopped and studied a big sign in front of a large
store on which this announcement had been lettered:
"Cloths, cassinettes, cassimeres, velvet silks, satins,
Marseilles waistcoating, fine, calf boots, seal and morocco
pumps for gentlemen, crepe lisse, lace veils.
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